Automatic controlling device for refrigerating systems



M. S. GROH Sept. 21 1926. 1,600,330

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS Filed May 4, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "/4 M /8 awgw was $5224 I 25 I I "V .1. m 38 g: I a5 39 j \/9 Inventor.

i MS. GR 011.

Sept. 21 1926.

M. S. GROH AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR REFRIGERATI NG SYSTEMS Filed May 4. 1 2i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN sonomon GROH, or 'roaonro, oN'rAaIo, CANADA, assmnon 30 Josiiris mnncanm'n. or gnnw YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC CQNTROL LDTG DEVICE FOR BEFRIGEB ATIING SYSTEMS.

Application filed May 4, 1922.

My invention relates to automatic controlling devices for refrigerating systems and the object of the invention is to devise a. control which will function automatically i to keep the temperature in the refrigerator 7 uniform.

A further object is to devise means for automatically opening the Water inlet to the condensing coils simultaneously with the throwing n of the motor switch for driving the cooling fluid pump, ands still further object is to devise means situated in the refrigerator for actuating the controlling means, saidineans being by the variation of pressure of a iquid gas, due to corresponding variation in temperature.

My invention consists of an automatic controlling device constructed and arranged all as hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated in the accompany in drawing in which:

%ig. 1 represents a plan view of the pump and condensing chamber casing, of the form shown and described, in my copcnding applications Serial Numbers 533,905 and 533,906, showing the controlling means in section applied thereto and also the fluid containing means in the refrigerator, said fluid containing means being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the 7 line 2-2'Figure 1, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the controlling diaphragm illustrated in Figure 1.

Fig? 4 is a vertical sectional view of Fig. 1, With some of the elements shown in diagrammatic form instead of section.

Like character of reference indicate corresponding parts in the ditterent views.

1 is the pump and condensing chamber casing. 50 is a diagrammatic view of he compressor. 60 is a diagrammatic view of the condensing chamber. 70 is a diagram matic view of the refrigerating element. is the rotary shaft to operate the compressor 50, which is a rotary pump of any desired form. 51 is an upper pump chairiber. Said upper pump chamber .71 and said condensing chamber are separated from each other by partition 56. and are both completely closed by the casing 1. 52 is a gas pipe extending from the vicinity of the top of pump chamber 51, and the lower actuated Serial No. 558,414.

end of gas pipe 52 extends into the con- (lensing chamber 60, 53 is a cooling coil, fl'd with water by boss 25, and discharging said water through outlet 54. 71 is a pipe connecting the evaporator-or refrigerating element 70 with compressor 50. 72 is a pipe connecting condensing chamber 60 with evaporator or refrigerating element 70. 90 is a valve in the line of. pipe 72 to function in the usual manner between the condensing chamber 60 and the evaporator or refrigerating element 70. 2 is the refrigerator. 3 is a casing opened at one side, applied to the side of the casiir 1 and adapted to contain the double diaphragm capsule 4: which is secured to the annular plate 5, which has the passage-way 6 extending tbcrcthrough, said plate being capable of being slid inwardly and outwardly ill the casing 3. The outer end of the assa isway 6 is connected by means of t e ppe 7 to a phial 8,. situated 'in the refrigerator and adapted to contain an suitable liquid 'such as ammonia or sulp iir dioxide, the

, of the plate 5 and adapted to extend freely through an orifice 11 'in the casing 3.

12 is a lever pivoted interinediately of its length to the bracket 13 on the casing 3 and having its longer end extending across such casing.

14 is a stud extending freely through the extremity of the longer end of the lever 12 and provided with it thumb nut 15 threaded onto its free end. 16 is a spring interposed between the thumb nut and the lever 12 for normally holding the said lever in cn'gagenient with the stud 10.

The shorter end of the lever l2 projects pzisi the casing l and engages the valve stem or push rod 17 of the valve 18 which is reciprocable in the valve chamber 19, suilahly disposed in the casing 20, said valve being noi'iiially held closed on its seat by means of the spring 21 which is held in the valve chamber by means of a screw plug 22 which closes the op n end thereof.

The valve chamber 19 communicates 'thi-relo. i l rig iat r 1.

through thfi' iilve seat 23 with a longitudinal passage-way 24 which communicates in turn with the boss 25 connected with the cooling coils in the interior of thepuinp and condensing chamber casing 1. 26 is a water inlet to. the valve chamber 19, said inlet being adapted to be connected to the water main.

27 is a stufling box or gland through which the valve stem 17 extends, said stuffin;' box preventing any water getting out from the passage-way 24. I

28 is a screvr plug valve extending into. the passage-Way 2-1 and adapted to partially close the same, said plug valve having a, stem 29 extending through a stuffing box '30 in the casing 20, said valve being adapted to be operated by the thumb nutiil situated cxteriorly of such casing. 3'2 is a cylindrical chamber constituted in the casing 20 and communicating with the passage-way 24 at the opposite end to the boss 25. said evlindrical chamber containing a reciprocable piston 33 normally held at the passagewa end ofthe cylindrical chamber by the spring 34, said piston being provided with the piston rod 35 extending; out of the case in; thfi' ilgh the stulling box 3S, and its free end pivotally connected by the link 37 with the lever 38 of theswitch 39 which is conneetcd in the pump motor circuit.

. 41) (shown in dotted lines in Figure 2) is a hy-pass leading from the portion of the passage-way .34 between the plug valve 28 and the boss 25 to the cylindrical chauiher 32 in the vieinityof its outer end.

The operation of my controlling device is as follows:

As is well known in the prior art the rel-'rigerating fluid is compressed by compressor 5H and when so compressed 'is heated and passes into pump chamber 51, and it then passes throni rh gas pipe 5" into condensor it". In this condensing chamber 60, the refrigerating lluid is ooled and condensed into liquid form by the cold water ll'owing through cooling coil 52'. The refrigerating fluid when so mule moi-condensed, being still under pressure from the eoinprwsion force of roi'npressor an through pump chamber 51, gas pipe 52, and condensing chamber is fort-er into pipe 72, through valve 5H) and into whip crating element 70. n refrigerating eeineut T0, the. refrigerating lluid etetitually pa se into pipe '21, and thence lnick'iMH compressor 50 from which the above (filitioned cycle begins anew.

The particular features of my controlling devi e are as to lows:

it no. he understood that the valve J is npi-lu'll iinuu-diatel the pipe 7 i connected \\'hcn the temperature in the inrisk-s, the gas in 'the ihial S lrKlHllHl; and as the pipe is connected iihrough the passage-Way with the interior of the capsule 4; the diaphragm of such capsule will be expanded. The expansion of the inner diaphragm is' limited, as it will engage the wallof the pump andthe condensing chain ber casing 1 and consequently the expansion of the outer diaphragm will cause the plate 5 to be moved outwardly, thus causin the stud 10 to actuate the longer end of the ever 12 in an outward direction. The smaller end of the lever is consequently moved inwardly and as this lever is in engag nz a with the valve stem 17, such valve stem moves the valve 18 into the open position, permtting the water from the main and the inlet 26 to traverse the valve chamber 19, orifice I passageway 34 hollow boss 25 and circulate the water through the coolm COIlS in the condensing chamber of the casing 1.

Owing to the restricting of .he passage way 24 by the plug valve 28 it xvii] be seen that the \vaterin the inletvaive portion of .thii passageay vili have a greater pressure than in the discharge end of the passage-way and consequently as the discharge portion of the passageway 21 is connected by the h s-pass 40 with the outer end of the cylindrical chamber 32. it will be seen that the back pressure of the water in the inlet valve portion of the passageway 24 will actuate the piston 33 into its outermost position and when this occurs the piston rod IE5 will throw the switch lover JS over, closin; the pump motor circuit through the medium of the switch 59. Coast-mnently the pump will be actuated and the cooling fluid. such as sulphur dioxide, circulated through the refrigerating apparatus.

'hen the temperature in the refrigerator falls to the requisite extent the gas in the tidal 8 will contact, releasin the pressure in the capsule 4 and through the m dium of the spring to restoring the lever 12 to the position illustrated in Figure i. the spring .2! rotating the valve 18 to its rinsed position and keeping the valve stem l? in en-' tutpentrut with the end of the lever 12. (l \V 1 en the valve '18 is closed it will he seen that the pressure of the "water in the pas sake-way :H on both sides of the vaive 3S itill he equalized with the pre sure of Water htt the other side thereof whit h is conuuunh cutifll to the cylindrical chamb r through lht! lrv-pae-- 40. The spring 1! will consequently restore the m -"in to the initial or ihoperativc po ltien il nstrntcd it: Figure :Q'of the drawing. thus throwing uh)! the lever 38 of the switch 5.1 and h eaitiug the motor circuit. 'l'hercfore as the motor cirruit is broken. the supply oi water to the cooling cuih' in the modern-{n Haamher will he titlltiiiltll iitw y cat oi? l l'tllll the above dc. rig iiou if. viiil be. seen that l have tiera! Ii -iiiiple ail-i t-ifective automatic c ntrolling ric in r t'iigcrator Hit) 1,eoo,aso r a szstems which will be dependent upon the c ange of pressure of ievolvod from 1i hid in the thermostatic elementand '1 ectuate' simultaneously the meme for admitting the water to the cooling gilsbf the condensing chamber with t Te 01 of the switch in the pain motor aired Thus both the water for con en the tug-fluid and the circulation of the fluid itself-will be controlled n itmnetic I have further devised a controllin vice,which will be comparatively cheap i construction and aim is in operation and which will be actuatetfwithout the addition of any electric or other. motivepower.

The valve 28 can so that the floiv of water to the condensing coils can be varied to suit diflerent uirements 'by adjustin the thumb not 81; andthe spring 16 can so tensioned as to v the actuation of the lever 12 dependent upon the expansion of the capsule 4 due to rise of temperature in therefri tor.

It will also be up arent that should the water supply from t '2 main fail, the motor circuit wil be automatically broken by the returning of the piston 33 to its initial position.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In automatic 'controlling devices for refrigerating systems; a compressor adapted to compress the refrigerating fluid; a con- .rlensor; menns adapted to transfer the rei'rigemting fluid from said compressor into said condenser; a cooling coil within said condenser, said cooling coil being adapted to be fed with cooling water; a passage way for cooling water into said cooling coil; :1 refrigerating element; means ndapted to transfer said refrigerating fluid from said condenser into said refrigerating clement; means adapted to transfer said re rigernting fluid from said refrigerating clement bank In said compressor; a phinl containing a fluid readily ovnpnrahle, said phinl being located in close proximity to said refrigersting element: a diaphragm operable by the entrance of the evaporated fluid from said phinl; a lover operable by :nid (liapln-agm; a valve operable by said lever, said valvc. being adapted to open or close shid mssngn way for cooling water into said w thin said c an a we 'e'nd actu les said be adjusted as required d P m a cool-i collie pl'u valve in the inlet valve portiiii: of said a cylihdricnl.

w e tuber; a piston longitudinally operable as face ofseidpmton beingjn contact with the inlet valve portion of'n id way; a from this di charge portion qieeid n3 into the outer end of mid cyamber, whereby. when said valve operable b said love:- u]

id, I way of we in to said 090 w tch reesure of the water in the ilflbfivlln poronof said passageway exceeds-the premuto of the water in the discharge portion of iston into its one: position; a poston connected with said piston; a switch 1; av tuated by said piston rodyend a nelectric circuit adapted to be opened orcloeed'by said switch lever, said e eotrio circmtwhea closed being adapted to compressor, and Sflld'BlBClil'lO circuit when openbeing adapted to stop the operation of said compressor.

2. In automatic controlling devices for refrigeratinfg systems; a thermostatic element. opera do by the temperature of. the refrigerutin element; a gewey for water; a vs vs operable by said thermostatic element, said VillVe beingf'adapted to 0 or close said passageway for waterra p up; valve in the inlet vulveportion-of said sageway; a cylindrical chamber; n-piston longitudinally operable within. said cylindricol chamber. the inner face of said p ston being in contact with the inlet valve) rtion of said passageway; a bypass from 1: dis-; charge portion of said assa way into the outer end of said cylindrical c amber,- where-- by when said valve opcrnhlc by said lever. rinses said pnssngowny of water, the-hack proseuro of the water m the inlet valve.- portion of said passagowuy oxcoods the pressuredrioal chamher, the inner operatethe said of the water in the. discharge. portion of i said passageway and sgctlmlcs said iston into its ooh-r position; a piston rm connected with said piston: a switch lovers-mtlmlcdJiy said piston rod: :mdnn electric circuit adapted to he npcn'ochnr ciooedfby said switch lover.

. Mnnvm SOLOMON GROH.

lii l vii-e which will be comparatively cheap in' construction and simple in operation and Who-h will be actuated without the addition of any UlOiJlllG or other motive power.

The valve 28 can be adjusted as required so that the flow of water to the condensing coils can be varied to suit different requirelncnis by adjusting the thumb nut 31; and

lll? :=pi-inn it? can be so tensioned as to vary lilo urination of the lover l2 dependent upon the expansion of lhe capsule 4 doc to rise o'l' tcn'iperaturc in the refrigerator.

It will also be apparent that should the wulcr supply from the main fail the motor circuit will be automatically broken by the returning of the piston to its initial posiiion.

lvhui l rlaim as my invention is:

ll in :mioinatic controlling devices for i: '1 in-rnliug systems: a compressor adapted lo romprur s lhc refrigerating fluid; a cond ns r: moons adopted to transfer the rel'iiwrulin fluid from said compressor into Hllll i-oinlonsm'; a cooling coil Wlllllfl said i-i-nlh-n or. aid cooling coil being adapted in be lrwl with cooling water; a passage Wily for cooling water into said cooling coil; a vein" clement; means adapted to ir orl'or will refrigerating fluid from said lonil nsrr into said refrigerating clement; oaouns :ulziptoil lo transfer said rcirigoruting illllll from Hillll refrigerating clement back to uI-il ompre sor: a pliinl containing a "1 m i'l' l liiY ovuporziblc, suid pliinl being l i'f'ill'l'tl in close proximity to suirl refriger- H-illlfl oh-lm-nt; :1. diaphragm operable by tho e-ulruzn-r oi the cvuporuterl fluid from will phinl: :1 lcvcr perable by said diuphruuui; a valve operable by said lever, ni l \nlw being adapted to open or close Hlilll pussugo way For cooling water into said cooling coil; opin valve in the inlet valve portion of said passage way; a cylindrical chamberya piston longitudinally operable within said cylindrical chamber, the inner face of said-piston being in contact with the inlet valve portion of said passageway; a bypass from the discharge portion of said passagewa into the outer and of said cylindrical c iamber, whereby when said valve operable by said lever closes said passageway of water into said cooling coil the back pressure of the water in the inlet valve portion of said passageway exceeds the pressure of the water in the discharge portion of said passageway, and actuates said iston into its outer position; a poston r connected with said piston; a switch lever actuated by said piston rod; and an electric circuit adapted to be opened or closed by said switch lever, said electric circuit when closed being adapted to operate the said compressor, and said electric circuit when open being adapted to stop the operation of said compressor.

2. In automatic controlling devices for rcfrigoratin systems; a thermostatic element. Opera by the temperature of the refrigerating element; a passageway for water; a valve operable by said thermostatic element, said valve being adapted to open or close said passageway for water; a plug valve in the inlet valve portion of said pussngcwuy: a cylindrical chamber; a piston longitudinally operable within said cylindricul chamber. the inner face of said piston being in contact with the inlet valve portion of said passageway; a bypass from the discharge portion of said passageway into the outer and of said cylindrical chamber, whereby when said valve operable by said lever rloscs said passageway of water. the back pressure of the water in the inlet valve portion of said pussngcway exceeds the pressure oi the water in tho. discharge portion of said passageway and nctuufcs said piston into its ouh'r position; :1 pislon rorl con- TKPlNl with said piston; a switch lover arhmii-zl by said piston roll: and an electric cirruit :uhiplnrl to be opened or closed by said swilrh lover.

MELVIN SOLOMON GROH.

Certificate of Correction.

ii i iii-rob cvrtiliril that tho lblllll of tho ussigiwc in Letters Patent No. l,60(l,330,

19:46. upon lllt application of Melvin Solomon (i -oh, of for :In impi'orrmonl in .\ulomntiv Controlling; Devi -o: erroneously written and prinlcil as Joseph whereas suiil numsimulil have born writlon mill printed it. aw/ ll lmil 'l'H luli-ni slioiilil bo i'i-zul uilh ihi i-ori'w'lion lhvroin that the sumo may 1'0"- lGEALl WM. A. KlNNAN.

Certificate 0f Correction.

It is hereh certified that in Letters Pgtent No. 1,600,330, granted Sept-ember 21, 1926, upon t 2 application of Melvin Solgmon Groh, of Tomato, Onmrin. ilanada. for an improvement in Automatic Controlling Devices for Refrigerating tems,"

'errors appear in the grin ted specificati0n,, gquiring curl-action as fdimv i -age 2, line 106,'f0r the W01 contact read contwwt; page 3, line 66, Hahn m1 11h: word poston read piston; and that the mid Letters Patent smuld be 1 with these correctlons therein that the same may c0nform t0 the mcurd of the case i the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of November, A. 11 1926.

[m] V. A. KINNAN Acting Cowmzbsc'omr of Pmmin.

Certificate sf Correction.

It is hereby certified that in LetLmyPatent No. 1,600,330, granted September 21, 1926, upon the application of Melvin Solmnon Groh, of Tomato, Ontm'ju Qanada. for an improvement in A uturnatir: C-mYIOllinQ Devices for Refrigerating; I stems,

errors appear in the printed spe :ific- 1Li0n.; equiring correction as fulh-vh Page 2 line 106, for the word contact read cont'ract: page 3, line 68, mm for th s word posbon read piston; and that the said Letters Patent should be i -ii with these corrections therein that the same may conforrnto the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 3th day of November, A. D, 1926.

[SEAL] WM. A. IHNNAN,

Acting atrmme'aeiofler of Patents. 

